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Author
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Topic: Apollo 11 patch (ex Neil Armstrong)
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thedoosh
New Member Posts: 5
From: Bradenton, FL, USA
Registered: Oct 2006
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posted 10-24-2006 09:02 PM
   
I just came into possession of an Apollo 11 patch donated by Neil Armstrong. I know this probably sounds baloney but it was in a silent auction for a golf tournament sponsored by the Navy League. I believe one of the retired admirals is close with Mr. Armstrong and he was actually supposed to attend the event. I by sheer dumb luck won the patch along with a letter from Neil Armstrong about the patch. I am giving it to my father for a gift as he is retired Air Force but I am very curious to know its estimated value. Keeping in mind it was not worn by Neil on the actual flight, but his words in the letter state that it is one of the same original batch used on that flight. Any help would be appreciated. I am still blown away that it is in my possession.  
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Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42984
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 10-27-2006 10:47 AM
The patch itself is as Armstrong writes, of the same type that was created for his and his crew's biological isolation garments (BIG) that they donned before exiting the command module after splashdown. The suits were intended to protect the world from contamination less there be any Moon germs (there weren't).The BIG patch is the rarest of the Apollo 11 patch-types and one of the most valuable among the Apollo-era patches in general. Recent auction results have placed its standalone value at $400 to $650. Of course, that is without the added provenance of coming from Neil Armstrong's collection. Is it safe to assume that the note is on Neil Armstrong's letterhead but is cropped for presentation here? The lack of a real autograph, while not surprising, weakens the letter as a statement of provenance. After all, anyone can print a letter on their computer. However, if it is on his letterhead and an be supported by additional documentation (e.g. an auction catalog or program from the Navy League) then I believe its value would increase to as much as $900 to $1250, if not more. There haven't been many if any items to be sold that came directly from Mr. Armstrong's collection. You should feel very fortunate to have such a fine piece in your possession. |
thedoosh
New Member Posts: 5
From: Bradenton, FL, USA
Registered: Oct 2006
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posted 10-27-2006 12:08 PM
Yes, I have cropped the letterhead to avoid showing his mailing address. I had actually contemplated writing him and asking for an autograph but wouldn't dare send the patch in the mail. So possibly just asking for an autograph to put behind the frame. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42984
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 10-27-2006 01:10 PM
Unfortunately, Mr. Armstrong ceased answering requests for his autograph in the mid-1990s. |
spaced out
Member Posts: 3110
From: Paris, France
Registered: Aug 2003
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posted 10-27-2006 01:17 PM
Just to comment on the value of the patch. Although Robert's recent example prices of $400+ are correct it's worth noting that examples sold earlier this year fetched $210, $300 and $360 at auction.The added value of the Armstrong letter is impossible to guess but it certainly adds to the value. |
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